News: Ford Focus RS

Time to look at the news, starting with the Ford Focus RS. It'll cost about £25k, have about 300bhp, and it really is one of the most hateful cars I have ever seen in my whole life. I saw the vomit green concept of it back at the 2008 British motor show, and it looked truly amateur. This is a sad thing, as fast fords used to be my one soft spot. Whenever I saw an Escort Cossie' I'd go all weak at the knees. The whale tail spoiler and wide wheel arches made the car fun, and the engine was tuned by the masters, Cosworth. But something has gone recently.

It started with the Ford Fiesta ST, which never had enough power, and looked ridiculous with the optional go faster stripes that ran along the front of it. This time Ford has taken it that bit further though: they've taken a ford focus, festooned it with unattractive accessories, painted it with whatever they had left out of their paint shop and then painted parts of it black to make it look more sporty. Any grown man who drives this car will look juvenile.

But that's just my opinion.

Roman

Notes from a skint Island

There has never been a better time to buy a car. Dealerships are sinking faster than an Icelandic bank, and they will do anything to grab on to the life raft that is your money. This is why they are cutting costs to reel in more customers, so now is the time to get a bargain. Don't go in and pay the list price like an idiot; try and get at least a 20% discount on whatever you want to buy, and most importantly, research. Forecourt salesmen dream about customers who don't have a clue about what sort of price they should be paying, and don't let yourself be put in a situation where you're being sold something that you don't need.

The real smart buyers should look for second hand deals, and more specifically, private sales. Generally, private sellers are not as clued up on the value of their car compared to a forecout dealer, so bargains are to be had.

Not surprisingly, owners of luxury cars are desperate to get more fuel efficient cars so need to get rid of their gas guzzlers. So look out for larger engined vehicles and you'll be surprised how much they have come down in price. Take for example the Bentley Continental GT. They retail for around £120,000 but one can be snapped up for around £40,000.

Roman

First time cars for the self concious

It's now my turn to introduce myself, I'm Roman, and I'm one of those people who can't like a car unless it has style. This is probably because I want to be a car designer at some point in the future, so I take my criticism of looks a little more seriously than perhaps I should. Incase you might be wondering, I think the greatest car of all time is the Ferrari 250 GT. Now, I know what you're thinking, in terms of raw facts, this car doesn't stand a chance against... say, a BMW M3, but that's not the point. A BMW M3 has good looks, the power bulge on its bonnet gives it a mean, powerful look; but the Ferrari is the definition of beauty. Few cars of late have come to rival it, with the notable exception of the Alfa Romeo 8C.

So now the big question is, what is the best looking car for first time buyers? Well, I'll split my selection up into three categories: less than £1000, £1000 to £5000 and £5000 to £10000.

Let's start with the sub £1000 cars, and to be honest, this is a hard one. What are the usual suspects? Ford fiestas, Ford Orions and Astras comprise the main bulk of this category. If I wanted to be really honest, all cars in this category are hideous, but, I have spotted a few gems. If you don't mind going for a tatty Mitsubishi FTO, then you'll be cruising in the cheapest ride around which will get peoples heads turning. Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration.

I have a lot more room to manouvre now in the £1000 to £5000 category. The no doubt winner of this sector is the Alfa Romeo GTV. Yes, ok, apart from looks this car has nothing going for it. Chances are you'll end up on the side of the motorway trying to cool the leaking engine that's just gone up in a bloom of smoke. But my god, you'll be the best looking motorist to ever break down on the m4.

This brings me on to my final category for those of you who have very rich parents who happen to own their own insurance companies. Well, some scouring on secondhand car websites have thrown up an unlikely, but indeed very worthy winner. The BMW Z4. Yep, even I didn't know you could snap one up at this sort of price range, but shows what I know doesn't it? Ok, for this sort of car, you're looking at the business end of a 5-10k price range, but hey! we've all got to indulge in life sometimes.

Roman

Me and my Fiat (Fix It Again Tomorrow)

Hello and welcome to First Gear! My name is Franco (for those of you who didn't read Roman's intro), unfortunately for you I was born with a genetic condition which makes my opinions biased towards all Italian cars.

I own a 1972 Fiat 500, and before you ask, no I cannot drive yet, but nor can the little Fiat as it too has a genetic condition affecting most of its Italian cousins, the R-word; rust. Nowadays people take test drives, discuss the handling and comment on the interior and optional extras, but when buying a classic Italian car you have to compromise those insignificant features and buy it on looks alone.

The truth is that it does not have the consecrated piece of paper that is an MOT. It seems that my original plan of it being fixed in a few months has turned into an endless journey of repairs. Factory fitted accessories on my Lusso (meaning luxury in Italiano) model include reclining seats, complete with matching plastic dashboard with an inbuilt ashtray for the disposal of used cancer sticks, and external chromework which has expired its useby date. It does lack a few things in terms of ICE, such as a radio, amplifier and speakers, but it does have a reading light which is very important for seeing things in the dark. My main aim is to get it working and enjoy the passion of driving around in my rear engined Italian classic. Although my school mates seem to choose to deafen themselves to the sound of Drum and Bass in their ghastly attempts to pimp out their cars with everything under the value of 50p in the Car Styling section of Halfords.